Brons caused uproar and despair in British political circles after he and Griffin won seats to the European parliament in 2009, but in an example of the in-fighting which often typifies far-right groups he then went on to unsuccessfully challenge Griffin for the leadership.

The Brons departure marks another low point for the fascist party, which has been hit by defections and a membership exodus over recent years.

Brons suggested 80% to 90% of party members, activists and officials had left and that Griffin bore "heavy responsibility".

Griffin's reputation never recovered from a controversial Question Time show in which he was savaged by guests and audience members. He later claimed the invitation had been a trap to discredit him.

Brons became the BNP's first MEP when he won Yorkshire and the Humber seat with ten per cent of the vote. A lecturer in Harrogate College, he then went on to work for the National Front before joining the BNP.